There’s no denying May can sometimes feel like an appetizer to summer. The weather is finally starting to get nicer and Memorial Day — the official summer kickoff — is so close that you can just about reach out and grab those rays of sunshine, but still… it’s not summer. So when this particular month starts dragging on, hit up the live music scene in Hoboken and Jersey Cityto make the rest of May fly by — we’ll be DTS for MDW before you know it! With the non-stop live music scene in Hoboken, Jersey City, and the surrounding areas, it’s unbelievably easy to find a local bar featuring live music on the weekends — pop into favorites like Maxwell’s and House of ‘Que in Hoboken and South House and Monty Hall in JC, and find a band up on stage entertaining a room packed with patrons. We’ve got your May 2017 guide to live music in Hoboken + JC, and here’s the setlist for May. {Check back next month for June’s live music lowdown.}
Live Music at Local Bars
Thursday, May 11th:
– House of ‘Que @ 7pm – 10pm: New Jersey native Jason Mickens will be performing his signature acoustic music.
– Monty Hall @ 9pm: Doors open at 8pm for Savoy Motel – a four-piece from Nashville. Tickets are $10-$12.
Friday, May 12th:
– Monty Hall @ 8:30pm: Spoonful of Lovin’ – celebrating the music of The Lovin’ Spoonful. Doors open at 8pm, tickets are $10.
– Fox + Crow @ 10pm – 11:59pm: Beninghove’s Hangmen are live.
– Maxwell’s Tavern @ 9pm: Molten, Hengine & Mamaluke will be performing a “night of pure rock”. Tickets are $10 at the door.
– House of ‘Que @ 9pm – 12am: The Neighbors 3 piece acoustic rock band
– Finnegan’s: Jeremy Beck Trio will perform their blend of soul, blues, funk and jazz.
– Willie McBride’s @ 11pm: NYC based band No Standards combines punk, rock, pop, ska, and hip influences into cover songs and original tunes.
Saturday, May 13th:
– House of ‘Que @ 12pm – 3pm: Up and coming singer-songwriter Sofia Nicole will perform.
– House of ‘Que @ 9pm – 12 am: Dueling Pianos every Saturday night in May.
– Monty Hall @ 8:30pm: The Everymen, No Ice, and The Rock’n’Roll Hi Fives. Doors open at 8pm, tickets are $10.
– Maxwell’s Tavern @ 1pm – 4:30pm: The Friggen Fabulous Brunch Showcase at Maxwell’s takes place every Saturday afternoon and features a “variety of singer-songwriters & bands.” There’s no cover charge plus huge deals on cocktails throughout.
– Maxwell’s Tavern @ 8pm: Check out the Latest Noise Live! Spring Showcase ft. Jaime Rose, Davey the Trainwreck, and Unlimited Breadsticks. Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 at the door.
– Fox + Crow @ 10pm – 11:59pm: Best known as the bassist for Americana outfit Railroad Earth, Andrew Altman will be playing a collection of his own music.
– Willie McBrides @ 11pm: You won’t want to miss throwback group Nine Deez Nite! The Ultimate 90’s Band performing at Willie’s.
Sunday, May 14th:
– House of ‘Que @ 12pm – 3pm: Michael Murphy plays live.
Thursday, May 18th:
– House of ‘Que @7pm – 10pm: Inspired by the likes of Jimmy Buffet and Swim Skinny, Nicky Fabbz will be rocking out.
Friday, May 19th:
– South House @8pm: The Brooklyn-based Pimps of Joytime will be playing “road tested and audience approved soul machine.” Doors open at 4pm.
– Monty Hall @ 9pm: Derv Gordon of The Equals in his East Coast debut at Monty Hall. Doors open at 8pm, tickets are $20.
– House of ‘Que @ 9pm – 10 pm: Check out Milk Money on Friday night to end your week right.
– Maxwell’s Tavern @ 9pm: The Mighty Spectrum Band Presents “The Bruce Show.” Tickets to the Bruce Springsteen tribute show are $8 in advance & $12 at the door.
– Fox + Crow @ 10pm – midnight: Along with his collection of brass horns, Murch Church will be live.
– Finnegan’s: The four-piece Bob Denson’s Blues will perform their old school blues and classic rock.
Saturday, May 20th:
– House of ‘Que @ 12pm – 3pm: Mike Bucio will perform.
– House of ‘Que @ 9pm – 12 am: Dueling Pianos every Saturday night in May.
– Maxwell’s Tavern @ 1pm – 4:30pm: The Friggen Fabulous Brunch Showcase at Maxwell’s takes place every Saturday afternoon and features a “variety of singer-songwriters & bands.” There’s no cover charge plus huge deals on cocktails throughout.
– Maxwell’s Tavern @ 8pm: Debra Devi with Papermaker, Drum and a Tantrum & Collective Man will appear starting from 8pm. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
– Fox + Crow @ 9pm – 11:59pm: Carolyn Light + friends will be playing to benefit Women Rising
– Willie McBrides @ 11pm: Changing Lanes performing at Willie’s.
– Finnegan’s: Check out McGroovr’s fun mix of funk, soul, and r&b.
Sunday, May 21st:
– House of ‘Que @ 12pm – 3pm: Acoustic singer and guitar Jimmy MacWilliams will be playing a mix of covers and original music.
Thursday, May 25th:
– House of ‘Que @ 7pm – 10pm: Ryan Sloan is performing at ‘Que
Friday, May 26th:
– House of ‘Que @ 7pm – 10 pm: Andre Trio will be featured.
– Finnegan’s: The Uptown Getdowns will be playing funky and soulful music from the 50’s up to the present day.
– Fox + Crow @ 10pm – midnight: Flying Penguins {from Glasgow} are live in JC.
Saturday May 27th:
– House of ‘Que @ 12pm – 3pm: Joe Gehrmann will perform acoustic cover songs.
– House of ‘Que @ 9pm – 12 am: Dueling Pianos every Saturday night in May.
– Maxwell’s Tavern @ 1pm – 4:30pm: The Friggen Fabulous Brunch Showcase at Maxwell’s takes place every Saturday afternoon and features a “variety of singer-songwriters & bands.” There’s no cover charge plus huge deals on cocktails throughout.
– Fox + Crow @ 10pm – 11:59pm: Joe Taino plays all night starting at 10pm.
– Finnegan’s: Shark Shinbone are returning to the venue where they made their debut performance. Catch them at Finnegan’s this month.
Read more: First Ever Hoboken Wellness Crawl
Music Festivals in May
Groove on Grove: May – September, Wednesdays @ 6pm – 9pm
In addition to the varied selection of bar music, the Hoboken area boasts some exciting events happening in May. The annual Groove on Grove festival kicked off this month in Jersey City. Groove on Grove is a completely free weekly music series that goes from May to September. In addition to live music every week at the Grove PATH Plaza, a variety of food trucks, arts & craft vendors, and local businesses will be present each week. Groove on Grove describes the festival as a “family friendly event that brings our community together to celebrate Jersey City and its diversity.” This is a positive, good-vibes-only dance party you won’t want to miss.
Hoboken Irish Festival: May 21st @ 12pm – 6pm:
On May 21, the Hoboken Irish Festival will be taking place. Residents will be able to pretend like they’ve jetted off to the Emerald Isle for the day. From 12pm – 6pm, the festival will take place in Sinatra Park on the water. There’s going to be a number of music performances, including sets by Gold N’ Brown, Mclean Ave Band, Colin Nisbet, and Rogue’s March. There will, of course, be plenty of Irish step dancing, as well.
If you really feel the urge to rock out, Metallica will be stopping by MetLife Stadium on Sunday, May 14th — perfect for a little throwback jam sesh. If not though, there’s plenty of live music happening right in your backyard this month! Hit up some {or all!} of these awesome events in the upcoming weeks, enjoy the weather, and it’ll be summer before you know it.
Any live music you know about that we should add to the list? Email it to hello@hobokengirl.com.
Check back next month for June’s live music setlist and tag us on IG on your live music adventures @HobokenGirlBlog or #HobokenGirl!
